25 May 2015

Announcement: Burbank Public Library, Ancestry and SCGS Join Forces

The Southern California Genealogical Society is pleased to announce participation in a new initiative to build an historical photo archive of Burbank, California's people, places and things for the website of the Burbank Public Library.

"As genealogists, we all know the value of local history collections; and if you have historical photos of Burbank, you can help build one! In 2016, the Burbank Public Library will be launching a searchable, historical digital photo collection. We are looking for photos of historical people, places and events in Burbank."

Members of the general public will have their first chance to submit photos to the project on June 5, 6, and 7 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, in conjunction with the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. The collection event photo project is a collaboration among the Burbank Public Library, online family history website Ancestry.com, and the Southern California Genealogical Society.

There is no cost to participate in this community project.

Potter continued, "If you have Burbank photos that you would like to submit for this collection, Ancestry.com has kindly offered to professionally scan them at Jamboree and give a copy of the digital image to the Burbank Public library. You keep your original photos, and share the scanned images through the library’s website! This is a wonderful way to build up your genealogy karma and repay those distant relatives in faraway cities that have done something similar. Thanks so much to the Southern California Genealogical Society and Ancestry.com for this exciting opportunity!"

Here's what to do if you have photos to be included in the new archive:

1. Sign up for a scanning appointment here: Scanning Appointments with Ancestry. Walk-ins will be accepted as time permits.
2. Ahead of time, prepare your photos as described here: Preparation Instructions
3. Bring your photos to the Marriott on the day of your appointment. Allow time to find a parking spot and check in.
4. Go to the Burbank Public Library table #143 in the Convention Center Exhibit Hall, where you will sign a release to confirm that you own the photo, and to identify the people, place or things in the photo. There is no cost to get into the Exhibit Hall.
5. Take your photos and documents to the Scanning Room, Producer A&B. Follow the signs.

Of course, you are welcome to bring your family history documents and non-Burbank photos that you would like scanned for your own personal use. Ancestry will scan your documents and return them to you, along with the scans on an official Ancestry thumb drive.